Camping anyone?

A twinkle of light on the horizon perhaps as many folks/family's missed out last year. I wonder how the tourist industry fared throughout the past summer and fall? Private campgrounds, fishing resorts, camping supply, bait dealers, etc. all got hit hard and will continue to suffer if the border remains closed. Personally, I have no interest in ever staying at a Prov. Park, they've priced themselves out of the market for this guy, but it's encouraging to see the increase in bookings.

https://www.timminstoday.com/local-n...summer-3466991

"From Jan. 1 to Feb. 25, Ontario Parks reports there were 28,538 reservations for provincial parks in Northern Ontario. During the same period in 2020, there were 14,497 reservations."

I think they are going to be super busy. There will be many locals (Canadians) that won't want to travel outside the country so they will use their vacation time here... It is going to be a busy summer :)

Last summer I tried to reserve some time in October at a wilderness park and could barely find an empty site even though it was canoe access only. By the time I could reserve I was risking freeze up so I opted to truck camp on crown land which was busier than I've ever seen since I had been going to that spot and had to settle for plan C. It should be great news especially for less popular parks, at least it may show the government they are worthwhile operating.

BM, I sure agree with you about provincial parks. I stayed 2 nights in the fall for an MNR ball tournament at Thessalon and was astounded at the number of rules you had to follow. And their daily rates seemed a bit out of touch as well. I can say however those that were privatized were much worse when it came to cleanliness of facilities.
Until the borders are opened many lodges are going to suffer but crown land camping and canoe tripping sure has increased in the meantime.

We went to fushimi lake , kakabeka falls and agawa Bay Lake Superior last year. Will probably be booking a week for agawa Bay again this summer.

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Originally Posted by sawbill

BM, I sure agree with you about provincial parks. I stayed 2 nights in the fall for an MNR ball tournament at Thessalon and was astounded at the number of rules you had to follow. And their daily rates seemed a bit out of touch as well. I can say however those that were privatized were much worse when it came to cleanliness of facilities.
Until the borders are opened many lodges are going to suffer but crown land camping and canoe tripping sure has increased in the meantime.

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Originally Posted by fishfood

We went to fushimi lake , kakabeka falls and agawa Bay Lake Superior last year. Will probably be booking a week for agawa Bay again this summer.

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Agawa is a nice campground, in fact, most PP are nice. Well kept, clean and well organised. I did stay at Agawa once many years ago in my younger years. Girlfriend and I went there for a weekend, and well, lets just say I wasn't interested in the amenities the park had to offer?
As SB say's private campgrounds may not be as astute with the cleanliness, and services may not be as plentiful as a provincial park, but I wouldn't want to see them all close up shop. It's tough for them to compete with gov't money to bring the sites up to gov't specs?
My wife and I are well equipped with gear to head into the bush and do the crown land camping thing. Alone on a lakeshore, in the bush. That's our thing.

I'm already booked at Bon Echo PP in May to feed the black flies
It is a yearly family gathering of 4 units.
Usually return mid September for the fall colours.

We then have another meet in August. This one is boondocking on a 100 acre parcel of private land. We make a camper semi circle with campfire in the middle. Many family members drop by for a visit and we usually have one pot luck supper. Tall tales and cold beverages are plentiful.

Then, there is the November deer hunt and now defunct October moose hunt. So, always enjoy camping when the seasons permit.

Hopefully they will still away from the crown land I camp on. Haven't paid to go camping in 20 years.

Nothing worse than camping beside people that have never done it before. When I go camping I like to drive 5-6 hrs north and out drive the citiots that think Bracebridge 'roughing it'.

I used the PP a number of times - always go pretty far up north - I check when the last week of the season is - that's when I go - usually have the place to myself - by that time the kids are back to school -

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Originally Posted by 410001661

Nothing worse than camping beside people that have never done it before. When I go camping I like to drive 5-6 hrs north and out drive the citiots that think Bracebridge 'roughing it'.

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Haha you might need to go even farther this year, I'll be going by motorcycle this time so I can get as far from a highway as possible by vehicle. I like to not see another person for the duration of my stay, that's the relaxing part.

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Originally Posted by sawbill

BM, I sure agree with you about provincial parks. I stayed 2 nights in the fall for an MNR ball tournament at Thessalon and was astounded at the number of rules you had to follow. And their daily rates seemed a bit out of touch as well. I can say however those that were privatized were much worse when it came to cleanliness of facilities.
Until the borders are opened many lodges are going to suffer but crown land camping and canoe tripping sure has increased in the meantime.

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I went up to woodys old place on white lake and couldn’t believe how crowded it was up there with crown land camping.
Hope your keeping well

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Originally Posted by cantcatchacold

I went up to woodys old place on white lake and couldn’t believe how crowded it was up there with crown land camping.
Hope your keeping well

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With the demise of many paper mills here in the north over the last several years, there are huge areas that are no longer being logged. No logging/pulp cutting, means no bush roads being maintained. They fall into disrepair, bridges are removed, washouts occur and that ends the access that folks have used for a good many years for crown land camping, fishing and hunting. Finding a decent spot to drag a trailer into is becoming a challenge, if not impossible, for some. If it's close to being accessible, it's probably taken? What you saw up near White Lake are the results of that squeeze. Add to that problem, the CO's don't seem to be enforcing the 21 day rule, with lots of people taking advantage of that.
Tent camping is about the only option left if someone wants to get to the good places with a 4WD, atv or boat/canoe. Forget dragging a trailer.

Last summer we went back to a back lake we have been to for the last 5 years. Last year was the first time we didn't have the lake to ourselves. Had to find another campsite. Worked out for us. We caught 24in wallys most days from our new campsite.

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Originally Posted by Camoman

Last summer we went back to a back lake we have been to for the last 5 years. Last year was the first time we didn't have the lake to ourselves. Had to find another campsite. Worked out for us. We caught 24in wallys most days from our new campsite.

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Yes, there is a bonus to "getting back there". Last year the wife and I left our trailer at home and went to a spot we had not been to for the last several years. It was a rough, boulder strewn road due to washouts and the like, but we had the place to ourselves. We did the tent thing, but with all the right gear, it was comfortable for this old guy. Caught some nice specks too! We'll be going back there this summer again.

we have noticed that many city people coming out often just for day trips don't carry chainsaws and often not even an Axe. So since we are the primary people who go to this specific lake we just clear enough of any fallen tree's to get the truck by many just turn around as they don't want to scratch their trucks. ATV paths we use something we clear only the minimum we need keeps the rift raft away

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

Yes, there is a bonus to "getting back there". Last year the wife and I left our trailer at home and went to a spot we had not been to for the last several years. It was a rough, boulder strewn road due to washouts and the like, but we had the place to ourselves. We did the tent thing, but with all the right gear, it was comfortable for this old guy. Caught some nice specks too! We'll be going back there this summer again.

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BM, I 'm surprised you have areas that campers aren't accessing. Around here you can block a road, take out a bridge or culvert and no matter how remote, a day or two later the blockage has been replaced or repaired and guys have their winter bagels already set up for the season, docks built, bbq pits finished and swing sets for the kids done. Seems too with the crown land camping limits of 21 days its hit and miss with enforcement but its been that way for years.

i know people who are already booked for this year lol those camp grounds are gunna be making lots of cash this summer

I have not been to a camp ground in 18 years. I love Crown

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Originally Posted by Bowjob

i know people who are already booked for this year lol those camp grounds are gunna be making lots of cash this summer

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

I have not been to a camp ground in 18 years. I love Crown

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last one i went to was sleeping giant in thunder bay. by far the most beautiful place ive been to in Ontario so far. deer all over the camp sites at night and on the campground roads, campsites have steps to go down into the water. only thing is it was a 15 hour drive haha.

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

I have not been to a camp ground in 18 years. I love Crown

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I refuse to pay $40 to $50+ per night for a place to camp. My beer budget would be shot!

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

I refuse to pay $40 to $50+ per night for a place to camp. My beer budget would be shot!

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We use them whenever it's an option while working out of town, split the cost between 2 guys per site it's not a bad price to have a hot shower and toilet (and no bed bugs) plus be able to have a nice swim and camp fire every day after work. For recreation I usually stick to crown.

The bigger crime is the $8/ bag fire wood from the camp store! We usually find dead falls in the ditch nearby to save that cost.

I have my shower under a waterfall

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Originally Posted by dean.f

We use them whenever it's an option while working out of town, split the cost between 2 guys per site it's not a bad price to have a hot shower and toilet (and no bed bugs) plus be able to have a nice swim and camp fire every day after work. For recreation I usually stick to crown.

The bigger crime is the $8/ bag fire wood from the camp store! We usually find dead falls in the ditch nearby to save that cost.

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You're my hero.

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Originally Posted by dean.f

We use them whenever it's an option while working out of town, split the cost between 2 guys per site it's not a bad price to have a hot shower and toilet (and no bed bugs) plus be able to have a nice swim and camp fire every day after work. For recreation I usually stick to crown.

The bigger crime is the $8/ bag fire wood from the camp store! We usually find dead falls in the ditch nearby to save that cost.

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Geez, I forgot all about the firewood factor? LOL Another reason why I will just drive by the PP on my way into the bush.

It would cost me 800 - 1000 for enough bundles of firewood. I fill my truck in 30 minutes cutting dead wood in the bush. We call it firewood Huntin

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Originally Posted by dean.f

. For recreation I usually stick to crown.

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Yep, me too! Crown Royal

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Originally Posted by dean.f

We use them whenever it's an option while working out of town, split the cost between 2 guys per site it's not a bad price to have a hot shower and toilet (and no bed bugs) plus be able to have a nice swim and camp fire every day after work. For recreation I usually stick to crown.

The bigger crime is the $8/ bag fire wood from the camp store! We usually find dead falls in the ditch nearby to save that cost.

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some places let you bring your own in, in some cases if im staying for long look on kijiji for a guy near by selling wood. they usually will come deliver it to you too and for dirt cheap too!

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Originally Posted by sawbill

Yep, me too! Crown Royal

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I prefer camping next to Forty Creek.